A man who downloaded pornographic photos and videos of children onto his wife's laptop has been escaped jail but may be made to sit lie detector tests to prevent re-offending.

John Holman, of Harlow, was sentenced after pleading guilty to possession of indecent images of children involving penetrative sexual activity, non-penetrative sexual activity, and possession of extreme pornography, at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (March 10).

In April 2016, Essex Police conducted a search at 63-year-old Holman's home, after receiving information that indecent images had been downloaded or viewed at his address.

A purple laptop, belonging to the defendant's wife, was seized by officers and was found to contain seven movies from Category A, the highest level of child pornography, as well 15 extreme pornographic images and a still image from Category B.

Several graphic search terms relating to children were also found on the computer.

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"It is vile material that will affect them for the rest of their lives. You should hang your head in shame in ruining children's lives."

Despite representations from defence counsel to save the laptop, which Mrs Holman had been given by the British Legion in recognition for 23 years of service, Judge Peters ordered its destruction.

Judge Peters said: "You've been married for 43 years. You are a very lucky man to have such a loyal woman standing by you.

"The extreme pornography and the other images are also serious matters. You yourself admitted you have used these images for many years. People must be deterred from this kind of offending."

Holman was sentenced to a year imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 40 hours of rehabilitation activity for possession of the Category A images, and to six months imprisonment suspended two years for the extreme pornography and the Category B images, to run concurrently.

In addition, Holman will be on the Sex Offender's Register, as well as being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), for 10 years, and was ordered to pay £365 in costs.

However, a further hearing will be made in the coming weeks to determine whether Holman's SHPO will have the additional requirement of a polygraph test, which could be the first requirement of its kind in the region.

Essex Police, following the lead from forces in the North of England, have requested that Holman be subject to lie detector tests as part of the order, to see whether he has complied with its terms.

Commenting on the matter, Judge Peters said: "Those who watch Jeremy Kyle know that they're not always as conclusive as some say."